What is a Clubhouse?

Monarch's Club Horizon is a Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) program that has earned the Clubhouse Accreditation from Clubhouse International. The Clubhouse model of rehabilitation promotes recovery, full community integration, and improved quality of life for persons who have mental health conditions that seriously impair functioning. Clubhouse services directly address the high risks that persons with serious mental illness experience with regard to frequent hospitalizations, low levels of functioning in the community, social isolation, persistent homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, and unemployment.

The program operates during regular business hours, promoting mutual acceptance, respect, and support. Persons with severe and persistent mental illness work at their own pace to gain or regain the confidence and skills necessary to lead vocationally productive and socially satisfying lives. Centering on the concept of a “work-ordered day,” each “member” chooses to participate in one of several work units to accomplish the daily functions of the Clubhouse.

The Clubhouse also provides independent housing support, assistance in attaining educational goals, and help with other life needs such as food, clothing, transportation, physical wellness, and entitlement benefits, and employment.

Clubhouse programs are known to prevent repeated hospitalizations for people who need coordinated, and often, elevated supports in order to function well in the community. As an example, national statistics show that re-hospitalization rates for clubhouse members is 14 percent, compared with 44 percent for those not in a clubhouse setting. Club Horizon has maintained member re-hospitalization rates of less than 10 percent since provision of Clubhouse services began in 2004.

Established in 1958, Monarch provides support statewide to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance use disorders. The organization is nationally accredited by The Joint Commission and The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL). Monarch operates The Arc of Stanly County, which is a chapter of The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of the United States.